HALIE LOREN — Stages (review)

HALIE LOREN — Stages album cover Live album · 2010 · Vocal Jazz Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
Matti P
Here's another not-yet-even-rated artist, American vocalist HALIE LOREN (b. 1984) who started writing songs at the age of 13, being impressed by e.g. Joni Mitchell, Sarah Mclachlan and Annie Lennox. After five years of performing she released her debut album Full Circle (2006). Overall she is perhaps a bit closer being a pop/rock artist than a jazz artist per se.

Some sources say this live album is actually from 2010. As a newcomer to her output I have a feeling that Stages is a rewarding place to start. First, the backing band (piano, trumpet and rhythm section) is excellent -- and notably jazzier than how Halie Loren's studio albums averagely sound like, I believe. The live atmosphere is warm and happy, and also the sonic quality is good, so one can imagine being there in a supposedly intimate club. Second, this set features nicely chosen covers easy for newcomers to relate -- although so do her studio albums as well.

'Danger in Loving You' is co-written by Loren herself. It's an elegant, bluesy ballad. Thee other own songs are scattered across the 13-song set. The scale of cover tunes is pretty broad. The Kinks classic 'Sunny Afternoon' is followed by U2's 'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For', the latter succesfully turned into a piano-centred, slow jazz ballad.

Heartaching 'Cry Me a River' is best remembered as Julie London's trademark song, while 'Girl from Ipanema' (the song that introduced Astrud Gilberto) brings a lovely Brazilian ingredient to this show. Loren even sings in Portuguese, too. Usually I'm not much delighted by oldies such as 'Is You Or Is You Ain't My Baby' but I have to say Loren and the musicians give it an enjoyable, laid-back interpretation. Among my favourites is the serenely moody and passionate 'Love Me Like A River Does'(Melody Gardot).

Tuck & Patti's 'High Heel Blues' Loren sings a cappella, which must have been a nice number for the live audience. Even Gershwin's endlessly interpreted 'Summertime' is a delight due to the Eva Cassidy reminding stretching of notes and the luxurious piano work of Matt Treder. The closing track 'Rainbow Race' is a Pete Seeger song.

Jazz is one of those genres that suit extremely well for live settings, and I'm sure I would have greatly enjoyed seeing this gig. Also as the audio-only listening it functions very well.
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